SERVICE

TEXT MATT. 11: 28-30

INTRODUCTION
• Our text is talking to those who labor and are heavy laden. To them Jesus says “Come to me and I will give rest” – this is call to salvation
• He also asks them to take His yoke and learn of Him. This is a call to serve. It is call to a life of service.

I. God calls and delivers people over the years and generations

a. From idol worship to a covenant relationship with Him eg – Abraham (Gen 12:1)
b. From slavery to freedom. Eg. – The Israelites (Ex. 3:7-8).
The Lord has seen and heard your cry. And he has come down to deliver you.
c. From evil practices and beliefs – the killing of twins, etc.
Today God is still calling people to salvation – He had chosen us and saved us (1Pet. 2:9-10).
You are a king and a priest. You are king because you have a kingdom, and also because you are a priest, you have an alter. Your holiness doesn’t depend on your actions. It is inputed on you. You are not a holy individual: you are a holy nation. You are starting a new generation in your family. You were nobody before, but now you are somebody. You don’t need to pray for all these things. They are for you for free. You don’t need to pay for these. Jesus paid for these. There is a price for our salvation. God didn’t pay the price with His Son for nothing.

II. God does not save people for nothing.
God destroyed the first world because of the wickedness of men. (Gen 6:5-9) But Noah walked with God.
There is a purpose for which God saved us.
Your service is needed in your local church. If you are not serving in your local church, you are saying in essence that God is not there.
God’s purpose in saving us is:

a. For worship – God asked Pharoah to let his people go and serve Him Ex. 7:19
Matt 11:29. The reason God saved us is for us to carry his yoke, that is a life of service. Lay all your burdens on God. You don’t have any business carrying the yoke of poverty, sin, wickedness and so on. His yoke is light and easy.
1 Pet. 2:9-10 “that you may proclaim the praises of Him that called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
Ex 25:8 let them make me a sanctuary… to dwell among them. You are a priest, therefore you have a sanctuary. God wants to dwell in among them. Read Chs 25 – 28
Ch 28:1
b. To serve Him

John 12:26. If you want honour, you have to serve God
When you serve, you are ministering unto God.

III. God’s servants (those who live lives of service) should be

a. Those who are saved (1 Pet. 2:9-10)
b. Those who want to be great (Luke 22:26)
If you want to be great in your local church, you should see every body as your elder brother.
c. Those who want prosperity (Job 36:11). If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy.
Don’t pray for prosperity, start serving.
d. Those who want divine immunity against evil (Isa. 54:17). “… this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord”
If you serve God you are immuned to attacks
e. Those who want angelic covering (Psalm 91:11)
Who will government give escorts? Those who are important to the state. Those important to God and heaven would be given heavenly escort. Why God cannot afford for you to be sick or to die is that you are important to his kingdom
f. Those who don’t want to die untimely death (Ex 23:25)
“You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst.
26None shall lose her young by miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.”
I am not afraid of death because I am still serving God. If I drop dead today, don’t cry for me. It is quite understandable that you cry because you love me.
g. Those who want their enemies to be afraid of them. (Ex 23:27)

IV. God’s servant should not be:

a. Unbelievers – if you are not serving in church, you are telling us you are unbeliever.

V. Reasons people don’t serve in church:

a. Ego – Pride.
b. Time – lack of time
c. Inadequacy – the feeling of nobody

CONCLUSION
There are several ministries through which you can serve God in the church. Join one today. Your service is needed.